Alabama vs Tennessee: Latest Spread Info, BCS Impact and Predictions

The schedule gets much tougher for No. 1 Alabama in the second half of the season, starting with a road game against Tennessee.

Despite the team's dominance, this will only be the Crimson Tide's second true road game of the year. The first was a 52-0 win over Arkansas, but that was with opposing starting quarterback Tyler Wilson out with an injury.

Tennessee, on the other hand, is much tougher than its 3-3 record indicates. All three losses were to teams in the top 12 of the first BCS standings, and the Volunteers have one of the best offenses in the nation.

Tennessee has allowed at least 37 points in every SEC game it has played this year. Alabama is averaging 40.5 points per game. Scoring will not be a problem for the Crimson Tide.

On the other side of the ball, the Volunteers come in scoring an impressive 38 points per game. It will be almost impossible to replicate that number against the best scoring defense in the country, but they should be able to score at least enough to reach the over.

Michael Chang/Getty Images

BCS Implications

As the No. 1 team in the first BCS poll, Alabama is in great shape for a repeat national championship. However, it still cannot afford a loss to Tennessee.

The Tide is currently No. 3 in the computer average, which could hurt later in the season if they do end up losing a game. A win against a talented team will only help, especially if No. 2 Florida loses this weekend.

Alabama has gotten everything it has asked for out of quarterback A.J. McCarron. The junior is sixth in the NCAA with a 171.9 efficiency rating, thanks mostly to the fact that he has not thrown an interception.

Now the staff needs to let him do more.

McCarron is only averaging 22 pass attempts per game, and most passes are close to the line of scrimmage. While this has to do with the team's early leads, it does not give him the experience necessary to win close games.

Tennessee is 93rd in the nation in points against, so this is a good chance to try new things offensively. The team already knows what it has in the run game and defense. This game should be used to help prepare the offense for tougher games in the future.

Key to Tennessee Victory: Win the Turnover Battle

Butch Dill/Getty Images

In the team's three losses, turnovers have been a major issue. Tyler Bray has thrown six interceptions in defeats to Florida, Georgia and Mississippi State. Meanwhile, he has a 10-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in all other games.

He is not the only one to blame, as Tennessee has a minus-five turnover ratio in the losses.

It will be tough to force turnovers against the always careful McCarron, but an interception or fumble could be a huge momentum swing against the talented team, especially at home.

At this point, the Volunteers would just need to make sure they hold onto the football themselves.

Prediction: Alabama 41, Tennessee 20

Tyler Bray and Tennessee will do better offensively than any other Alabama opponent this season. Still, the defense does not have the ability to even slow down the rushing attack of Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon. Alabama should pull away in the second half.